Digital image camera using autofocus information for image enhancement

ABSTRACT

A method of processing a digital image comprising: capturing the image utilising an adjustable focusing technique; utilising the focusing settings as an indicator of the position of structures within the image; and processing the image, utilising the said focus settings to produce effects specific to said focus settings.

[0001] This is a Continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 09/112,750 filed Jul. 10,1998

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an image processing method andapparatus and, in particular, discloses a process for utilisingautofocus information in a digital image camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. Thesecameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilizing acharge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on anelectronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer systemfor subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilizing acomputer system to print out an image, sophisticated software may beavailable to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements.

[0004] Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing ofa captured image and normally present the image in an orientation inwhich is was taken, relying on the post processing process to performany necessary or required modifications of the captured image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method forenhanced processing of images captured by a digital camera utilisingautofocus settings.

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention thereis provided a method of generating a manipulated output image by meansof a digital camera, the method comprising the steps of:

[0007] capturing a focused image using an automatic focusing techniquegenerating focus settings;

[0008] generating a manipulated output image by applying a digital imagemanipulating process to the focused image, the digital imagemanipulating process utilizing the focus settings.

[0009] Preferably the focus settings include a current position of azoom motor of the digital camera.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment the digital image manipulating processincludes a step of locating an object within the focused image utilizingthe focus settings.

[0011] The method may include the step of printing out the manipulatedimage by means of a printing mechanism incorporated into the digitalcamera.

[0012] It is preferred that the digital image manipulating processselectively applies techniques to the focused image on the basis of thefocus settings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scopeof the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates the method of the preferred embodiment; and

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the ARTCAM type camera.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented throughsuitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that describedin the concurrently filed application, Applicant's reference ART01, U.S.Ser. No. 09/113,060 entitled “A Digital Camera with Image ProcessingCapability” filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant thecontent of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross referenceand the details of which, and other related applications are set out inthe tables below. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram thereof.

[0017] The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camerasystem, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensedimages can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unitsuch as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, the aforementioned specificationdiscloses means and methods for performing various manipulations onimages captured by the camera sensing device 30 leading to theproduction of various effects in any output image 40. The manipulationsare disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implementedthrough the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereonvarious instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards 9hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significantonboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) 32which is interconnected to a memory device 34 for the storage ofimportant data and images.

[0018] In the preferred embodiment, autofocus is achieved by processingof a CCD data stream to ensure maximum contrast. Techniques fordetermining a focus position based on a CCD data stream are known. Forexample, reference is made to “The Encyclopedia of Photography” editorsLeslie Stroebel and Richard Zakia, published 1993 byButterworth-Heinemann and “Applied Photographic Optics” by London &Boston, Focal Press, 1988. These techniques primarily rely onmeasurements of contrast between adjacent pixels over portions of aninput image. The image is initially processed by the ACP in order todetermine a correct autofocus setting.

[0019] This autofocus information is then utilized by the ACP 32 incertain modes, for example, when attempting to locate faces within theimage, as a guide to the likely size of any face within the image,thereby simplifying the face location process.

[0020] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example of themethod utilized to determine likely image characteristics forexamination by a face detection algorithm 10.

[0021] Various images eg. 2, 3 and 4 are imaged by the camera device 28.As a by product of the operation of the auto-focusing the details of thefocusing settings of the autofocus unit 5 are stored by the ACP 32.Additionally, a current position of the zoom motor 38 is also utilizedas zoom setting 6. Both of these settings are determined by the ACP 32.Subsequently, the ACP 32 applies analysis techniques in heuristic system8 to the detected values before producing an output 29 having amagnitude corresponding to the likely depth location of objects ofinterest 21, 31 or 41 within the image 2, 3 or 4 respectively.

[0022] Next, the depth value is utilised in a face detection algorithm10 running on the ACP 31 in addition to the inputted sensed image 11 soas to locate objects within the image. A close output 29 correspondingto a range value 9 indicates a high probability of a portrait image, amedium range indicates a high probability of a group photograph and afurther range indicates a higher probability of a landscape image. Thisprobability information can be utilized as an aid for the face detectionalgorithm and also can be utilised for selecting between variousparameters when producing “painting” effects within the image orpainting the image with clip arts or the like, with different techniquesor clip arts being applied depending on the distance to an object.

[0023] It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the presentinvention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The presentembodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to beillustrative and not restrictive.

[0024] The present invention is further best utilized in the Artcamdevice, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphsalthough it is not restricted thereto.

[0025] Ink Jet Technologies

[0026] The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer typedevice. Of course many different devices could be used. Howeverpresently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to besuitable.

[0027] The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is powerconsumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for highspeed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection.This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble whichexpels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must besuperheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiencyof around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increasedsurface area) out.

[0028] The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is sizeand cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection atreasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for eachnozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drivecircuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem atthe current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a majorimpediment to the fabrication of page width print heads with 19,200nozzles.

[0029] Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringentrequirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality,high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements ofdigital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. Thetarget features include:

[0030] low power (less than 10 Watts)

[0031] high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

[0032] photographic quality output

[0033] low manufacturing cost

[0034] small size (page width times minimum cross section)

[0035] high speed (<2 seconds per page).

[0036] All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjetsystems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty fivedifferent inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee togive a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. Thesetechnologies form part of separate applications assigned to the presentAssignee as set out in the table below.

[0037] The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range ofdigital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digitalcameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through tocommercial printing systems

[0038] For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, theprint head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMSpost processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. Thesmallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving achip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzlesplus data and control circuitry.

[0039] Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection moldedplastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which canbe created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprint head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

[0040] Cross-Referenced Applications

[0041] The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patentapplications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter withthe reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to aparticular case: Docket No. Reference Title IJ01US IJ01 Radiant PlungerInk Jet Printer IJ02US IJ02 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ03US IJ03Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet IJ04US IJ04 StackedElectrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ05US IJ05 Reverse Spring Lever Ink JetPrinter IJ06US IJ06 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer IJ07US IJ07 PermanentMagnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ08US IJ08 Planar Swing GrillElectromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ09US IJ09 Pump Action Refill Ink JetPrinter IJ10US IJ10 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer IJ11US IJ11Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ12US IJ12Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ13US IJ13 Gear Driven ShutterInk Jet Printer IJ14US IJ14 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic InkJet Printer IJ15US IJ15 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink JetPrinter IJ16US IJ16 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet PrinterIJ17US IJ17 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink JetPrinter IJ18US IJ18 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet PrinterIJ19US IJ19 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer IJ20US IJ20 Curling CalyxThermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ21US IJ21 Thermal Actuated Ink JetPrinter IJ22US IJ22 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer IJ23US IJ23 DirectFiring Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ24US IJ24 Conductive PTFEBen Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer IJ25US IJ25 Magnetostrictive InkJet Printer IJ26US IJ26 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer IJ27US IJ27Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer IJ28US IJ28 Thermal Elastic Rotary ImpellerInk Jet Printer IJ29US IJ29 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet PrinterIJ30US IJ30 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated CopperInk Jet Printer IJ31US IJ31 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink JetPrinter IJ32US IJ32 A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet PrinterIJ33US IJ33 Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printerIJ34US IJ34 Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising anexternal coiled spring IJ35US IJ35 Trough Container Ink Jet PrinterIJ36US IJ36 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet IJ37US IJ37Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet IJ38US IJ38 DualNozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet IJ39US IJ39 A single bendactuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device IJ40US IJ40 A thermallyactuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator unitsIJ41US IJ41 A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a taperedheater element IJ42US IJ42 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink JetIJ43US IJ43 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ44USIJ44 Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer IJ45US IJ45Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer

[0042] Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets

[0043] Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

[0044] The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional tableof inkjet types. Actuator mechanism (18 types) Basic operation mode (7types) Auxiliary mechanism (8 types) Actuator amplification ormodification method (17 types) Actuator motion (19 types) Nozzle refillmethod (4 types) Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10types) Nozzle clearing method (9 types) Nozzle plate construction (9types) Drop ejection direction (5 types) Ink type (7 types)

[0045] The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axescontains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. Whilenot all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjettechnology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearlyimpractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead,certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These aredesignated IJ01 to IJ45 above.

[0046] Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from theseforty five examples by substituting alternative configurations along oneor more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be madeinto inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currentlyavailable inkjet technology.

[0047] Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one ormore of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tablesbelow. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column.In some cases, a print technology may be listed more than once in atable, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.

[0048] Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office networkprinters, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabricprinters, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers,Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Faxmachines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographicminilabs etc.

[0049] The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensionalmatrix are set out in the following tables. ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIEDONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Actuator Mechanism Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Thermal bubble An electrothermal heater Largeforce generated High power Canon Bubblejet 1979 heats the ink to Simpleconstruction Ink carrier limited Endo et al GB patent above boilingpoint, No moving parts to water 2,007,162 transferring significant Fastoperation Low efficiency Xerox heater-in-pit 1990 heat to the aqueousink. Small chip area required for High temperatures Hawkins et al U.S.Pat. No. A bubble nucleates and actuator required 4,899,181 quicklyforms, expelling High mechanical Hewlett-Packard TIJ the ink. Theefficiency stress 1982 Vaught et al of the process is low, Unusualmaterials U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 with typically less than required0.05% of the electrical Large drive energy being transformed transistorsinto kinetic energy of Cavitation causes the drop. actuator failureKogation reduces bubble formation Large print heads are difficult tofabricate Piezoelectric A piezoelectric Low power consumption Very largearea Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. crystal such as lead Many ink types canbe used required for 3,946,398 lanthanum zirconate Fast operationactuator Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 (PZT) is electrically Highefficiency Difficult to 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. activated, and eitherintegrate with 3,747,120 expands, shears, or electronics Epson Stylusbends to apply pressure High voltage drive Tektronix to the ink,ejecting transistors required IJ04 drops. Full pagewidth print headsimpractical due to actuator size Requires electrical poling in highfield strengths during manufacture Electro-strictive An electric fieldis Low power consumption Low maximum strain Seiko Epson, Usui et allused to activate Many ink types can be used (approx. 0.01%) JP 253401/96electrostriction in Low thermal expansion Large area required IJ04relaxor materials such Electric field strength required for actuator dueto as lead lanthanum (approx. 3.5 V/μm) can be low strain zirconatetitanate generated without difficulty Response speed is (PLZT) or leadDoes not require electrical marginal (˜10 μs) magnesium niobate polingHigh voltage drive (PMN). transistors required Full pagewidth printheads impractical due to actuator size Ferroelectric An electric fieldis Low power consumption Difficult to IJ04 used to induce a Many inktypes can be used integrate with phase transition Fast operation (<1 μs)electronics between the Relatively high longitudinal Unusual materialsantiferroelectric strain such as PLZSnT are (AFE) and ferroelectric Highefficiency required (FE) phase. Perovskite Electric field strength ofaround Actuators require materials such as 3 V/μm can be readily a largearea tin modified lead provided lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZSnT)exhibit large strains of up to 1% associated with the AFE to FE phasetransition. Electrostatic Conductive plates are Low power consumptionDifficult to operate IJ02, IJ04 plates separated by a Many ink types canbe used electrostatic devices compressible or fluid Fast operation in anaqueous dielectric (usually environment air). Upon application Theelectrostatic of a voltage, the actuator will normally plates attracteach need to be separated other and displace ink, from the ink causingdrop ejection. Very large area The conductive plates required to achievemay be in a comb or high forces honeycomb structure, or High voltagedrive stacked to increase the transistors may be surface area andrequired therefore the force. Full pagewidth print heads are notcompetitive due to actuator size Electrostatic pull A strong electricfield Low current consumption High voltage required 1989 Saito et al,U.S. Pat. No. on ink is applied to the Low temperature May be damaged by4,799,068 ink, whereupon sparks due to air 1989 Miura et al, U.S. Pat.No. electrostatic attraction breakdown 4,810,954 accelerates the inkRequired field Tone-jet towards the print strength increases medium. asthe drop size decreases High voltage drive transistors requiredElectrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An electromagnet Low powerconsumption Complex fabrication IJ07, IJ10 magnet electro- directlyattracts a Many ink types can be used Permanent magnetic magneticpermanent magnet, Fast operation material such as displacing ink andHigh efficiency Neodymium Iron Boron causing drop ejection. Easyextension from single (NdFeB) required. Rare earth magnets nozzles topagewidth print High local currents with a field strength heads requiredaround 1 Tesla can be Copper metalization used. Examples are: should beused for Samarium Cobalt long electromigration (SaCo) and magneticlifetime and low materials in the resistivity neodymium iron boronPigmented inks are family (NdFeB, usually infeasible NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB,etc) Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540K) Soft magnetic core A solenoid induced a Low power consumption Complexfabrication IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, IJ10 electro-magnetic magnetic field in aMany ink types can be used Materials not usually IJ12, IJ14, IJ15, IJ17soft magnetic core or Fast operation present in a CMOS fab yokefabricated from a High efficiency such as NiFe, CoNiFe, ferrous materialsuch as Easy extension from single or CoFe are electroplated ironnozzles to pagewidth print required alloys such as CoNiFe heads Highlocal currents [1], CoFe, or NiFe required alloys. Typically, the Coppermetalization soft magnetic material should be used for is in two parts,long electromigration which are normally held lifetime and low apart bya spring. When resistivity the solenoid is actuated, Electroplating isthe two parts attract, required displacing the ink. High saturation fluxdensity is required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) MagneticThe Lorenz force acting Low power consumption Force acts as a IJ06,IJ11, IJ13, IJ16 Lorenz force on a current carrying Many ink types canbe used twisting motion wire in a magnetic field Fast operationTypically, only a is utilized. High efficiency quarter of the sole- Thisallows the Easy extension from single noid length provides magneticfield to be nozzles to pagewidth print force in a useful suppliedexternally to heads direction the print head, for High local currentsexample with rare earth required permanent magnets. Copper metalizationOnly the current should be used for carrying wire need be longelectromigration fabricated on the print- lifetime and low head,simplifying resistivity materials requirements. Pigmented inks areusually infeasible Magneto-striction The actuator uses the Many inktypes can be used Force acts as a Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. giantmagnetostrictive Fast operation twisting motion 4,032,929 effect ofmaterials such Easy extension from single Unusual materials IJ25 asTerfenol-D (an nozzles to pagewidth print such as Terfenol-D alloy ofterbium, heads are required dysprosium and iron High force is availableHigh local currents developed at the required Naval Ordnance Coppermetalization Laboratory, hence Ter- should be used for Fe-NOL). For bestlong electromigration efficiency, the lifetime and low actuator shouldbe resistivity pre-stressed to Pre-stressing may approx. 8 MPa. berequired Surface tension Ink under positive Low power consumptionRequires supplementary Silverbrook, EP 0771 reduction pressure is heldin Simple construction force to effect drop 658 A2 and related a nozzleby surface No unusual materials required separation patent applicationstension. The surface in fabrication Requires special ink tension of theink is High efficiency surfactants reduced below the Easy extension fromsingle Speed may be limited bubble threshold, nozzles to pagewidth printby surfactant causing the ink to heads properties egress from thenozzle. Viscosity The ink viscosity is Simple construction Requiressupplementary Silverbrook, EP 0771 reduction locally reduced to Nounusual materials required force to effect drop 658 A2 and relatedselect which drops in fabrication separation patent applications are tobe ejected. A Easy extension from single Requires special ink viscosityreduction nozzles to pagewidth print viscosity properties can beachieved heads High speed is electrothermally with difficult to achievemost inks, but Requires oscillating special inks can be ink pressureengineered for a 100:1 A high temperature viscosity reduction.difference (typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic waveis Can operate without a nozzle Complex drive circuitry 1993 Hadimiogluet al, generated and plate Complex fabrication EUP 550,192 focussed uponthe Low efficiency 1993 Elrod et al, EUP drop ejection region. Poorcontrol of drop 572,220 position Poor control of drop volumeThermoelastic An actuator which Low power consumption Efficient aqueousIJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 bend actuator relies upon Many ink types can beused operation requires IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22 differential thermalSimple planar fabrication a thermal insulator IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28expansion upon Small chip area required for on the hot side IJ29, IJ30,IJ31, IJ32 Joule heating is used. each actuator Corrosion preventionIJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 Fast operation can be difficult IJ37, IJ38, IJ39,IJ40 High efficiency Pigmented inks may IJ41 CMOS compatible voltagesand be infeasible, as currents pigment particles Standard MEMS processescan may jam the bend be used actuator Easy extension from single nozzlesto pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with a very High force canbe generated Requires special IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 thermoelastic highcoefficient of PTFE is a candidate for low material (e.g. PTFE) IJ21,IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 actuator thermal expansion (CTE) dielectric constantinsulation Requires a PTFE IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 such as in ULSIdeposition process, IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 polytetrafluoroethylene Verylow power consumption which is not yet (PTFE) is used. Many ink typescan be used standard in ULSI fabs As high CTE materials Simple planarfabrication PTFE deposition are usually non- Small chip area requiredfor cannot be followed conductive, a heater each actuator with hightemperature fabricated from a Fast operation (above 350 °C.) conductivematerial High efficiency processing is incorporated. A 50 CMOScompatible voltages and Pigmented inks may μm long PTFE bend currents beinfeasible, as actuator with Easy extension from single pigmentparticles polysilicon heater nozzles to pagewidth print may jam the bendand 15 mW power heads actuator input can provide 180 μN force and 10 μmdeflection. Actuator motions include: Bend Push Buckle Rotate ConductiveA polymer with a High force can be generated Requires special IJ24polymer high coefficient of Very low power consumption materialsdevelopment thermoelastic thermal expansion Many ink types can be used(High CTE conductive actuator (such as PTFE) is Simple planarfabrication polymer) doped with conducting Small chip area required forRequires a PTFE substances to each actuator deposition process, increaseits Fast operation which is not yet conductivity to about Highefficiency standard in ULSI fabs 3 orders of magnitude CMOS compatiblevoltages and PTFE deposition cannot below that of currents be followedwith high copper. The conducting Easy extension from single temperature(above polymer expands nozzles to pagewidth print 350 °C.) processingwhen resistively heated. heads Evaporation and CVD Examples ofconducting deposition techniques dopants include: cannot be used Carbonnanotubes Pigmented inks may Metal fibers be infeasible, as Conductivepolymers pigment particles such as doped may jam the bend polythiopheneactuator Carbon granules Shape memory A shape memory alloy High force isavailable (stresses Fatigue limits IJ26 alloy such as TiNi (also ofhundreds of MPa) maximum number of known as Nitinol - Large strain isavailable (more cycles Nickel Titanium alloy than 3%) Low strain (1%) isdeveloped at the High corrosion resistance required to extend NavalOrdnance Simple construction fatigue resistance Laboratory) is Easyextension from single Cycle rate limited thermally switched nozzles topagewidth print by heat removal between its weak heads Requires unusualmartensitic state and Low voltage operation materials (TiNi) its highstiffness The latent heat of austenic state. The transformation mustshape of the actuator be provided in its martensitic High currentoperation state is deformed Requires pre-stressing relative to the todistort the austenic shape. martensitic state The shape change causesejection of a drop. Linear Magnetic Linear magnetic Linear Magneticactuators can Requires unusual semi- IJ12 Actuator actuators include thebe constructed with high conductor materials Linear Induction thrust,long travel, and high such as soft magnetic Actuator (LIA), Linearefficiency using planar alloys (e.g. CoNiFe Permanent Magnetsemiconductor fabrication [1]) Synchronous Actuator techniques Somevarieties also (LPMSA), Linear Long actuator travel is available requirepermanent Reluctance Synchronous Medium force is available magneticmaterials Actuator (LRSA), Linear Low voltage operation such asNeodymium Switched Reluctance iron boron (NdFeB) Actuator (LSRA),Requires complex and the Linear Stepper multi-phase drive Actuator(LSA). circuitry High current operation

[0050] BASIC OPERATION MODE Operational mode Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Actuator directly This is the simplest Simpleoperation Drop repetition rate is usually limited to less Thermal inkjetpushes ink mode of operation: No external fields required than 10 KHz.However, this is not Piezoelectric inkjet the actuator directlySatellite drops can be avoided if fundamental to the method, but isrelated IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04 supplies sufficient drop velocity is lessthan 4 to the refill method normally used IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09 kineticenergy to m/s All of the drop kinetic energy must be IJ11, IJ12, IJ14,IJ16 expel the drop. The Can be efficient, depending provided by theactuator IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 drop must have a upon the actuator usedSatellite drops usually form if drop velocity IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28sufficient velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 toovercome the IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 surface tension. IJ37, IJ38, IJ39,IJ40 IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Proximity The drops to be Very simple printhead Requires close proximity between the print Silverbrook, EP 0771printed are selected fabrication can be used head and the print media ortransfer roller 658 A2 and related by some manner (e.g. The dropselection means does May require two print heads printing patentapplications thermally induced not need to provide the alternate rows ofthe image surface tension energy required to separate Monolithic colorprint heads are difficult reduction of pressur- the drop from the nozzleized ink). Selected drops are separated from the ink in the nozzle bycontact with the print medium or a transfer roller. Electrostatic pullThe drops to be printed Very simple print head Requires very highelectrostatic field Silverbrook, EP 0771 on ink are selected byfabrication can be used Electrostatic field for small nozzle sizes is658 A2 and related some manner (e.g. The drop selection means does aboveair breakdown patent applications thermally induced not need to providethe Electrostatic field may attract dust Tone-Jet surface tension energyrequired to separate reduction of pressur- the drop from the nozzle izedink). Selected drops are separated from the ink in the nozzle by astrong electric field. Magnetic pull on The drops to be Very simpleprint head Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink printed areselected fabrication can be used Ink colors other than black aredifficult 658 A2 and related by some manner (e.g. The drop selectionmeans does Requires very high magnetic fields patent applicationsthermally induced not need to provide the surface tension energyrequired to separate reduction of pressur- the drop from the nozzle izedink). Selected drops are separated from the ink in the nozzle by astrong magnetic field acting on the magnetic ink. Shutter The actuatormoves a High speed (>50 KHz) Moving parts are required IJ13, IJ17, IJ21shutter to block ink operation can be achieved Requires ink pressuremodulator flow to the nozzle. due to reduced refill time Friction andwear must be considered The ink pressure is Drop timing can be veryStiction is possible pulsed at a multiple accurate of the drop ejectionThe actuator energy can be frequency. very low Shuttered grill Theactuator moves a Actuators with small travel can Moving parts arerequired IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 shutter to block ink be used Requiresink pressure modulator flow through a grill Actuators with small forcecan Friction and wear must be considered to the nozzle. The be usedStiction is possible shutter movement need High speed (>50 KHz) only beequal to operation can be achieved the width of the grill holes. Pulsedmagnetic A pulsed magnetic Extremely low energy operation Requires anexternal pulsed magnetic field IJ10 pull on ink pusher field attracts an‘ink is possible Requires special materials for both the pusher’ at thedrop No heat dissipation problems actuator and the ink pusher ejectionfrequency. Complex construction An actuator controls a catch, whichprevents the ink pusher from moving when a drop is not to be ejected.

[0051] AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Auxiliary MechanismDescription Advantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator directlySimplicity of construction Drop ejection energy must be supplied Mostinkjets, including fires the ink drop, Simplicity of operation byindividual nozzle actuator piezoelectric and and there is no Smallphysical size thermal bubble. external field or other IJ01-IJ07, IJ09,IJ11 mechanism required. IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22 IJ23-IJ45 Oscillatingink The ink pressure Oscillating ink pressure can Requires external inkpressure oscillator Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure oscillates, providingprovide a refill pulse, Ink pressure phase and amplitude must 658 A2 andrelated (including much of the drop allowing higher operating becarefully controlled patent applications acoustic ejection energy. Thespeed Acoustic reflections in the ink chamber IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17stimulation) actuator selects The actuators may operate with must bedesigned for IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 which drops are to be much lower energyfired by selectively Acoustic lenses can be used to blocking or enablingfocus the sound on the nozzles. The ink nozzles pressure oscillation maybe achieved by vibrating the print head, or preferably by an actuator inthe ink supply. Media proximity The print head is Low power Precisionassembly required Silverbrook, EP 0771 placed in close High accuracyPaper fibers may cause problems 658 A2 and related proximity to theSimple print head construction Cannot print on rough substrates patentapplications print medium. Selected drops protrude from the print headfurther than unselected drops, and contact the print medium. The dropsoaks into the medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transferroller Drops are printed to High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP 0771 atransfer roller Wide range of print substrates Expensive 658 A2 andrelated instead of straight can be used Complex construction patentapplications to the print medium. Ink can be dried on the transferTektronix hot melt A transfer roller roller piezoelectric inkjet canalso be used for Any of the IJ series proximity drop separation.Electrostatic An electric field is Low power Field strength required forseparation Silverbrook, EP 0771 used to accelerate Simple print headconstruction of small drops is near or above air 658 A2 and relatedselected drops towards breakdown patent applications the print medium.Tone-Jet Direct magnetic A magnetic field is Low power Requires magneticink Silverbrook, EP 0771 field used to accelerate Simple print headconstruction Requires strong magnetic field 658 A2 and related selecteddrops of patent applications magnetic ink towards the print medium.Cross magnetic The print head is Does not require magnetic Requiresexternal magnet IJ06, IJ16 field placed in a constant materials to beintegrated in Current densities may be high, resulting magnetic field.The the print head manufacturing in electromigration problems Lorenzforce in a process current carrying wire is used to move the actuator.Pulsed magnetic A pulsed magnetic Very low power operation is Complexprint head construction IJ10 field field is used to possible Magneticmaterials required in print head cyclically attract a Small print headsize paddle, which pushes on the ink. A small actuator moves a catch,which selectively prevents the paddle from moving.

[0052] ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD Actuatoramplification Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None Noactuator mechanical Operational simplicity Many actuator mechanisms haveinsuf- Thermal Bubble InkJet amplification is ficient travel, orinsufficient force, IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, IJ07 used. The actuator toefficiently drive the drop ejection IJ16, IJ25, IJ26 directly drives theprocess drop ejection process. Differential An actuator materialProvides greater travel in a High stresses are involved Piezoelectricexpansion bend expands more on reduced print head area Care must betaken that the materials IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 actuator one side than onThe bend actuator converts a do not delaminate IJ27 IJ29-IJ39, IJ42, theother. The high force low travel actuator Residual bend resulting fromhigh IJ43, IJ44 expansion may be mechanism to high travel, temperatureor high stress during thermal, piezoelectric, lower force mechanism.formation magnetostrictive, or other mechanism. Transient bend Atrilayer bend Very good temperature stability High stresses are involvedIJ40, IJ41 actuator actuator where the two High speed, as a new drop canCare must be taken that the materials outside layers are be fired beforeheat dissipates do not delaminate identical. This cancels Cancelsresidual stress of bend due to ambient formation temperature andresidual stress. The actuator only responds to transient heating of oneside or the other. Actuator stack A series of thin Increased travelIncreased fabrication complexity Some piezoelectric ink actuators arestacked. Reduced drive voltage Increased possibility of short circuitsjets This can be due to pinholes IJ04 appropriate where actuatorsrequire high electric field strength, such as electrostatic andpiezoelectric actuators. Multiple actuators Multiple smaller Increasesthe force available Actuator forces may not add linearly, IJ12, IJ13,IJ18, IJ20 actuators are used from an actuator reducing efficiency IJ22,IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 simultaneously to Multiple actuators can be move theink. Each positioned to control ink flow actuator need accuratelyprovide only a portion of the force required. Linear Spring A linearspring is Matches low travel actuator Requires print head area for thespring IJ15 used to transform a with higher travel motion with smallrequirements travel and high force Non-contact method of motion into alonger travel, transformation lower force motion. Reverse spring Theactuator loads a Better coupling to the ink Fabrication complexity IJ05,IJ11 spring. When the High stress in the spring actuator is turned off,the spring releases. This can reverse the force/distance curve of theactuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirements of thedrop ejection. Coiled actuator A bend actuator is Increases travelGenerally restricted to planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 coiled to provideReduces chip area implementations due to extreme greater travel in aPlanar implementations are fabrication difficulty in other reduced chiparea. relatively easy to fabricate. orientations. Flexure bend A bendactuator has Simple means of increasing Care must be taken not to exceedthe IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 actuator a small region near travel of a bendactuator elastic limit in the flexure area the fixture point, Stressdistribution is very uneven which flexes much Difficult to accuratelymodel with finite more readily than element analysis the remainder ofthe actuator. The actuator flexing is effectively converted from an evencoiling to an angular bend, resulting in greater travel of the actuatortip. Gears Gears can be used to Low force, low travel actuators Movingparts are required IJ13 increase travel at can be used Several actuatorcycles are required the expense of Can be fabricated using More complexdrive electronics duration. Circular standard surface MEMS Complexconstruction gears, rack and pinion, processes Friction, friction, andwear are possible ratchets, and other gearing methods can be used. CatchThe actuator controls Very low actuator energy Complex construction IJ10a small catch. The Very small actuator size Requires external forcecatch either enables Unsuitable for pigmented inks or disables movementof an ink pusher that is controlled in a bulk manner. Buckle plate Abuckle plate can be Very fast movement achievable Must stay withinelastic limits of the S. Hirata et al, “An Ink- used to change amaterials for long device life jet Head . . . ”, Proc. slow actuatorinto a High stresses involved IEEE MEMS, February fast motion. It canGenerally high power requirement 1996, pp 418-423. also convert a highIJ18, IJ27 force, low travel actuator into a high travel, medium forcemotion. Tapered magnetic A tapered magnetic Linearizes the magneticComplex construction IJ14 pole pole can increase force/distance curvetravel at the expense of force. Lever A lever and fulcrum Matches lowtravel actuator High stress around the fulcrum IJ32, IJ36, IJ37 is usedto transform with higher travel a motion with small requirements traveland high force Fulcrum area has no linear into a motion with movement,and can be used longer travel and for a fluid seal lower force. Thelever can also reverse the direction of travel. Rotary impeller Theactuator is High mechanical advantage Complex construction IJ28connected to a rotary The ratio of force to travel of Unsuitable forpigmented inks impeller. A small the actuator can be matched angulardeflection of to the nozzle requirements by the actuator results varyingthe number of in a rotation of the impeller vanes impeller vanes, whichpush the ink against stationary vanes and out of the nozzle. Acousticlens A refractive or No moving parts Large area required 1993 Hadimiogluet al, diffractive (e.g. zone Only relevant for acoustic ink jets EUP550,192 plate) acoustic lens 1993 Elrod et al, EUP is used toconcentrate 572,220 sound waves. Sharp conductive A sharp point is usedSimple construction Difficult to fabricate using standard Tone-jet pointto concentrate an VLSI processes for a surface ejecting electrostaticfield. ink-jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets

[0053] ACTUATOR MOTION Actuator motion Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Volume The volume of the Simple construction Highenergy is typically required to Hewlett-Packard expansion actuatorchanges, in the case achieve volume expansion. This leads to ThermalInkJet pushing the ink in of thermal ink jet thermal stress, cavitation,and kogation Canon Bubblejet all directions. in thermal ink jetimplementations Linear, The actuator moves in Efficient coupling Highfabrication complexity may be IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ07 normal to adirection normal to ink drops required to achieve perpendicular motionIJ11, IJ14 chip surface to the print head ejected normal to surface. Thenozzle the surface is typically in the line of movement. Linear, Theactuator moves Suitable for planar Fabrication complexity IJ12, IJ13,IJ15, IJ33, parallel to parallel to the print fabrication Friction IJ34,IJ35, IJ36 chip surface head surface. Drop Stiction ejection may stillbe normal to the surface. Membrane push An actuator with a The effectiveFabrication complexity 1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No. high force but smallarea of the Actuator size 4,459,601 area is used to push actuatorbecomes Difficulty of integration in a VLSI a stiff membrane that themembrane area process is in contact with the ink. Rotary The actuatorcauses Rotary levers may Device complexity IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28 therotation of some be used to May have friction at a pivot point element,such a grill increase travel or impeller Small chip area requirementsBend The actuator bends A very small Requires the actuator to be madefrom 1970 Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. when energized. This change in atleast two distinct layers, or to 3,946,398 may be due to dimensions canhave a thermal difference across the 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No.differential thermal be converted actuator 3,747,120 expansion, piezo-to a large IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, IJ19 electric expansion, motion. IJ23,IJ24, IJ25, IJ29 magnetostriction, IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34 or other formof IJ35 relative dimensional change. Swivel The actuator swivels Allowsoperation Inefficient coupling to the ink motion IJ06 around a centralwhere the net pivot. This motion is linear force on suitable where therethe paddle is are opposite forces zero applied to opposite Small chiparea sides of the paddle, requirements e.g. Lorenz force. Straighten Theactuator is Can be used Requires careful balance of stresses to IJ26,IJ32 normally bent, and with shape ensure that the quiescent bend isstraightens when memory alloys accurate energized. where the austenicphase is planar Double bend The actuator bends in One actuator canDifficult to make the drops ejected by IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 one directionwhen one be used to power both bend directions identical. element isenergized, two nozzles. A small efficiency loss compared to and bendsthe other way Reduced chip size. equivalent single bend actuators. whenanother element is Not sensitive to energized. ambient temperature ShearEnergizing the actuator Can increase the Not readily applicable to otheractuator 1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat. No. causes a shear motion in effectivetravel mechanisms 4,584,590 the actuator material. of piezoelectricactuators Radial The actuator squeezes Relatively easy High forcerequired 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. constriction an ink reservoir, tofabricate Inefficient 3,683,212 forcing ink from a single nozzlesDifficult to integrate with VLSI constricted nozzle. from glassprocesses tubing as macroscopic structures Coil/uncoil A coiled actuatorEasy to fabricate Difficult to fabricate for non-planar IJ17, IJ21,IJ34, IJ35 uncoils or coils more as a planar devices tightly. The motionof VLSI process Poor out-of-plane stiffness the free end of the Smallarea actuator ejects the ink. required, therefore low cost Bow Theactuator bows (or Can increase the Maximum travel is constrained IJ16,IJ18, IJ27 buckles) in the speed of travel High force required middlewhen energized. Mechanically rigid Push-Pull Two actuators control Thestructure is Not readily suitable for inkjets which IJ18 a shutter. Onepinned at both directly push the ink actuator pulls the ends, so has ashutter, and the other high out-of- pushes it. plane rigidity Curlinwards A set of actuators curl Good fluid flow Design complexity IJ20,IJ42 inwards to reduce to the region the volume of ink that behind thethey enclose. actuator increases efficiency Curl outwards A set ofactuators Relatively simple Relatively large chip area IJ43 curloutwards, construction pressurizing ink in a chamber surrounding theactuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiplevanes enclose High efficiency High fabrication complexity IJ22 a volumeof ink. These Small chip area Not suitable for pigmented inkssimultaneously rotate, reducing the volume between the vanes. Acousticvibration The actuator vibrates The actuator can Large area required forefficient 1993 Hadimioglu et al, at a high frequency. be physicallyoperation at useful frequencies EUP 550,192 distant from the Acousticcoupling and crosstalk 1993 Elrod et al, EUP ink Complex drive circuitry572,220 Poor control of drop volume and position None In various ink jetNo moving parts Various other tradeoffs are required Silverbrook, EP0771 designs the actuator to eliminate moving parts 658 A2 and relateddoes not move. patent applications Tone-jet

[0054] NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Nozzle refill method Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Surface tension After the actuator Fabricationsimplicity Low speed Thermal inkjet is energized, it Operationalsimplicity Surface tension force relatively small Piezoelectric inkjettypically returns compared to actuator force IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14rapidly to its normal Long refill time usually dominates the IJ16, IJ20,IJ22-IJ45 position. This rapid total repetition rate return sucks in airthrough the nozzle opening. The ink surface tension at the nozzle thenexerts a small force restoring the meniscus to a minimum area. ShutteredInk to the nozzle High speed Requires common ink pressure oscillatorIJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 oscillating ink chamber is provided Low actuatorenergy, as the May not be suitable for pigmented inks IJ18, IJ19, IJ21pressure at a pressure that actuator need only open or oscillates attwice close the shutter, instead of the drop ejection ejecting the inkdrop frequency. When a drop is to be ejected, the shutter is opened for3 half cycles: drop ejection, actuator return, and refill. Refillactuator After the main actuator High speed, as the nozzle is Requirestwo independent actuators per IJ09 has ejected a drop a activelyrefilled nozzle second (refill) actuator is energized. The refillactuator pushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returnsslowly, to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. Positiveink The ink is held a slight High refill rate, therefore a Surface spillmust be prevented Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure positive pressure. Afterhigh drop repetition rate is Highly hydrophobic print head surfaces 658A2 and related the ink drop is ejected, possible are required patentapplications the nozzle chamber fills Alternative for: quickly assurface IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 tension and ink pressure IJ16, IJ20,IJ22-IJ45 both operate to refill the nozzle.

[0055] METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Inlet back-flowrestriction method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Longinlet The ink inlet channel Design simplicity Restricts refill rateThermal inkjet channel to the nozzle chamber Operational simplicity Mayresult in a relatively large chip Piezoelectric inkjet is made long andReduces crosstalk area IJ42, IJ43 relatively narrow, Only partiallyeffective relying on viscous drag to reduce inlet back-flow. Positiveink The ink is under a Drop selection and separation Requires a method(such as a nozzle rim Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure positive pressure,forces can be reduced or effective hydrophobizing, or both) to 658 A2and related so that in the Fast refill time prevent flooding of theejection surface patent applications quiescent state some of the printhead. Possible operation of the of the ink drop already following:protrudes from the IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 nozzle. This reduces IJ14, IJ16,IJ20, IJ22, the pressure in the IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41 nozzle chamberwhich IJ44 is required to eject a certain volume of ink. The reductionin chamber pressure results in a reduction in ink pushed out through theinlet. Baffle One or more baffles The refill rate is not as Designcomplexity HP Thermal Ink Jet are placed in the restricted as the longMay increase fabrication complexity Tektronix piezoelectric inlet inkflow. When inlet method. (e.g. Tektronix hot melt Piezoelectric inkjetthe actuator is Reduces crosstalk print heads). energized, the rapid inkmovement creates eddies which restrict the flow through the inlet. Theslower refill process is unre- stricted, and does not result in eddies.Flexible flap In this method Significantly reduces back-flow Notapplicable to most inkjet config- Canon restricts inlet recentlydisclosed by for edge-shooter thermal ink urations Canon, the expandingjet devices Increased fabrication complexity actuator (bubble) Inelasticdeformation of polymer flap pushes on a flexible results in creep overextended use flap that restricts the inlet. Inlet filter A filter islocated Additional advantage of ink Restricts refill rate IJ04, IJ12,IJ24, IJ27 between the ink inlet filtration May result in complexconstruction IJ29, IJ30 and the nozzle chamber. Ink filter may befabricated The filter has a with no additional process multitude ofsmall steps holes or slots, restricting ink flow. The filter alsoremoves particles which may block the nozzle. Small inlet The ink inletchannel Design simplicity Restricts refill rate IJ02, IJ37, IJ44compared to to the nozzle chamber May result in a relatively large chipnozzle has a substantially area smaller cross section Only partiallyeffective than that of the nozzle, resulting in easier ink egress out ofthe nozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet shutter A secondary actuatorIncreases speed of the ink- Requires separate refill actuator and IJ09controls the position jet print head operation drive circuit of ashutter, closing off the ink inlet when the main actuator is energized.The inlet is The method avoids Back-flow problem is Requires carefuldesign to minimize the IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 located behind the problemof inlet eliminated negative pressure behind the paddle IJ07, IJ10,IJ11, IJ14 the ink-pushing back-flow by arrang- IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25surface ing the ink-pushing IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 surface of the IJ34,IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 actuator between the IJ40, IJ41 inlet and the nozzle.Part of the The actuator and a Significant reductions in back- Smallincrease in fabrication complexity IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 actuator moveswall of the ink flow can be achieved to shut off chamber are arrangedCompact designs possible the inlet so that the motion of the actuatorcloses off the inlet. Nozzle actuator In some configura- Ink back-flowproblem is None related to ink back-flow on Silverbrook, EP 0771 doesnot result tions of ink jet, eliminated actuation 658 A2 and related inink back-flow there is no expan- patent applications sion or movement ofValve-jet an actuator which may Tone-jet cause ink back-flow IJ08, IJ13,IJ15, IJ17 through the inlet. IJ18, IJ19, IJ21

[0056] NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Nozzle Clearing method DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples Normal nozzle All of the nozzles areNo added complexity on the May not be sufficient to displace dried Mostink jet systems firing fired periodically, print head ink IJ01-IJ07,IJ09-IJ12 before the ink has a IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 chance to dry.When IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45 not in use the nozzles are sealed (capped)against air. The nozzle firing is usually performed during a specialclear- ing cycle, after first moving the print head to a cleaningstation. Extra power to In systems which heat Can be highly effective ifthe Requires higher drive voltage for Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink heaterthe ink, but do not heater is adjacent to the clearing 658 A2 andrelated boil it under normal nozzle May require larger drive transistorspatent applications situations, nozzle clearing can be achieved by over-powering the heater and boiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid succession Theactuator is fired Does not require extra drive Effectiveness dependssubstantially May be used with: of actuator pulses in rapid succession.circuits on the print head upon the configuration of the inkjetIJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 In some configurations, Can be readily controlledand nozzle IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 this may cause heat initiated bydigital logic IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34 build-up at the nozzle IJ36-IJ45which boils the ink, clearing the nozzle. In other situations, it maycause sufficient vibrations to dislodge clogged nozzles. Extra power toWhere an actuator is A simple solution where Not suitable where there isa hard limit May be used with: ink pushing not normally drivenapplicable to actuator movement IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 actuator to thelimit of its IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27 motion, nozzle clearing IJ29, IJ30,IJ31, IJ32 may be assisted by IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 providing anenhanced IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 drive signal to the actuator. Acoustic Anultrasonic wave is A high nozzle clearing High implementation cost ifsystem does IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 resonance applied to the inkcapability can be achieved not already include an acoustic actuatorIJ18, IJ19, IJ21 chamber. This wave is May be implemented at very of anappropriate low cost in systems which amplitude and fre- already includeacoustic quency to cause actuators sufficient force at the nozzle toclear blockages. This is easiest to achieve if the ultrasonic wave is ata resonant frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle clearing Amicrofabricated plate Can clear severely clogged Accurate mechanicalalignment is re- Silverbrook, EP 0771 plate is pushed against thenozzles quired 658 A2 and related nozzles. The plate has Moving partsare required patent applications a post for every nozzle. There is riskof damage to the nozzles The array of posts Accurate fabrication isrequired Ink pressure pulse The pressure of the May be effective whereother Requires pressure pump or other May be used with all IJ ink istemporarily methods cannot be used pressure actuator series ink jetsincreased so that ink Expensive streams from all of Wasteful of ink thenozzles. This may be used in con- junction with actuator energizing.Print head wiper A flexible ‘blade’ Effective for planar print headDifficult to use if print head surface is Many ink jet systems is wipedacross the surfaces non-planar or very fragile print head surface. Lowcost Requires mechanical parts The blade is usually Blade can wear outin high volume print fabricated from a systems flexible polymer, e.g.rubber or synthetic elastomer. Separate ink A separate heater is Can beeffective where other Fabrication complexity Can be used with manyboiling heater provided at the nozzle clearing methods IJ series inkjets nozzle although the cannot be used normal drop e-ection Can beimplemented at no mechanism does not additional cost in some inkjetrequire it. The configurations heaters do not require individual drivecircuits, as many nozzles can be cleared simultaneously, and no imagingis required.

[0057] NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Nozzle plate construction DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples Electroformed A nozzle plate isFabrication simplicity High temperatures and pressures are HewlettPackard nickel separately fabricated required to bond nozzle plateThermal Inkjet from electroformed Minimum thickness constraints nickel,and bonded Differential thermal expansion to the print head chip. Laserablated or Individual nozzle holes No masks required Each hole must beindividually formed Canon Bubblejet drilled polymer are ablated by anCan be quite fast Special equipment required 1988 Sercel et al., intenseUV laser in a Some control over nozzle Slow where there are manythousands SPIE, Vol. 998 Excimer nozzle plate, which profile is possibleof nozzles per print head Beam Applications, is typically a polymerEquipment required is May produce thin burrs at exit holes pp. 76-83such as polyimide or relatively low cost 1993 Watanabe et al.,polysulphone U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 Silicon micro- A separate nozzleHigh accuracy is attainable Two part construction K. Bean, IEEE machinedplate is micromachined High cost Transactions on from single crystalRequires precision alignment Electron Devices, Vol. silicon, and bondedNozzles may be clogged by adhesive ED-25, No. 10, 1978, to the printhead pp 1185-1195 wafer. Xerox 1990 Hawkins et al., U.S. Pat. No.4,899,181 Glass Fine glass capillaries No expensive equipment Very smallnozzle sizes are difficult to 1970 Zoltan U.S. capillaries are drawnfrom glass required form Pat. No. 3,683,212 tubing. This method Simpleto make single nozzles Not suited for mass production has been used formaking individual nozzles, but is difficult to use for bulkmanufacturing of print heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic, Thenozzle plate is High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires sacrificial layer underthe Silverbrook, EP 0771 surface micro- deposited as a layer Monolithicnozzle plate to form the nozzle chamber 658 A2 and related machinedusing using standard VLSI Low cost Surface may be fragile to the touchpatent applications VLSI litho- deposition techniques. Existingprocesses can be IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11 graphic Nozzles are etched inused IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 processes the nozzle plate using IJ22, IJ24,IJ27, IJ28 VLSI lithography and IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 etching. IJ33,IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Monolithic, Thenozzle plate is a High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires long etch times IJ03,IJ05, IJ06, IJ07 etched through buried etch stop in Monolithic Requiresa support wafer IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13 substrate the wafer. Nozzle Lowcost IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19 chambers are etched in No differentialexpansion IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26 the front of the wafer, and the waferis thinned from the back side. Nozzles are then etched in the etch stoplayer. No nozzle plate Various methods have No nozzles to become cloggedDifficult to control drop position accu- Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et al beentried to eliminate rately U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 the nozzles entirely,Crosstalk problems 1993 Hadimioglu et al to prevent nozzle EUP 550,192clogging. These include 1993 Elrod et al EUP thermal bubble mecha-572,220 nisms and acoustic lens mechanisms Trough Each drop ejector hasReduced manufacturing Drop firing direction is sensitive to IJ35 atrough through complexity wicking. which a paddle moves. MonolithicThere is no nozzle plate. Nozzle slit The elimination of No nozzles tobecome clogged Difficult to control drop position accu- 1989 Saito et alinstead of nozzle holes and rately U.S. Pat. No. individual replacementby a Crosstalk problems 4,799,068 nozzles slit encompassing manyactuator posi- tions reduces nozzle clogging, but in- creases crosstalkdue to ink surface waves

[0058] DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Ejection direction Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Edge Ink flow is along the Simple constructionNozzles limited to edge Canon Bubblejet 1979 (‘edge shooter’) surface ofthe chip, No silicon etching required High resolution is difficult Endoet al GB patent and ink drops are Good heat sinking via sub- Fast colorprinting requires one print 2,007,162 ejected from the chip strate headper color Xerox heater-in-pit 1990 edge. Mechanically strong Hawkins etal U.S. Ease of chip handing Pat. No. 4,899,181 Tone-jet Surface Inkflow is along the No bulk silicon etching Maximum ink flow is severelyrestricted Hewlett-Packard TIJ (‘roof shooter’) surface of the chip,required 1982 Vaught et al and ink drops are Silicon can make aneffective U.S. Pat. No. ejected from the chip heat sink 4,490,728surface, normal to Mechanical strength IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20 the planeof the chip. IJ22 Through chip, Ink flow is through High ink flowRequires bulk silicon etching Silverbrook, EP 0771 forward the chip, andink Suitable for pagewidth print 658 A2 and related (‘up shooter’) dropsare ejected High nozzle packing density patent applications from thefront sur- therefore low manufacturing IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24 face ofthe chip. cost IJ27-IJ45 Through chip, Ink flow is through High ink flowRequires wafer thinning IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 reverse the chip, and inkSuitable for pagewidth print Requires special handling during IJ07,IJ08, IJ09, IJ10 (‘down shooter’) drops are ejected High nozzle packingdensity manufacture IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16 from the rear surfacetherefore low manufacturing IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25 of the chip. costIJ26 Through actuator Ink flow is through Suitable for piezoelectricPagewidth print heads require several Epson Stylus the actuator, whichprint heads thousand connections to drive circuits Tektronix hot melt isnot fabricated as Cannot be manufactured in standard piezoelectric inkjets part of the same CMOS fabs substrate as the Complex assemblyrequired drive transistors.

[0059] INK TYPE Ink type Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesAqueous, dye Water based ink Environmentally friendly Slow drying Mostexisting inkjets which typically No odor Corrosive All IJ series inkjets contains: water, Bleeds on paper Silverbrook, EP 0771 dye,surfactant, May strikethrough 658 A2 and related humectant, and Cocklespaper patent applications biocide. Modern ink dyes have high water-fastness, light fastness Aqueous, pigment Water based inkEnvironmentally friendly Slow drying IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26 whichtypically No odor Corrosive IJ27, IJ30 contains: water, Reduced bleedPigment may clog nozzles Silverbrook, EP 0771 pigment, surfactant,Reduced wicking Pigment may clog actuator mechanisms 658 A2 and relatedhumectant, and Reduced strikethrough Cockles paper patent applicationsbiocide. Piezoelectric ink-jets Pigments have an Thermal ink jets (withadvantage in reduced significant bleed, wicking restrictions) andstrikethrough. Methyl Ethyl MEK is a highly vola- Very fast dryingOdorous All IJ series ink jets Ketone (MEK) tile solvent used for Printson various substrates Flammable industrial printing such as metals andplastics on difficult surfaces such as aluminum cans. Alcohol Alcoholbased inks Fast drying Slight odor All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, 2-can be used where Operates at sub-freezing Flammable butanol, and theprinter must temperatures others) operate at tempera- Reduced papercockle tures below the Low cost freezing point of water. An example ofthis is in-camera consumer photographic printing. Phase change The inkis solid at No drying time - ink instantly High viscosity Tektronix hotmelt (hot melt) room temperature, and freezes on the print mediumPrinted ink typically has a ‘waxy’ feel piezoelectric ink jets is meltedin the Almost any print medium can Printed pages may ‘block’ 1989 NowakU.S. Pat. print head before jet- be used Ink temperature may be abovethe curie No. 4,820,346 ting. Hot melt inks No paper cockle occurs pointof permanent magnets All IJ series ink jets are usually wax based, Nowicking occurs Ink heaters consume power with a melting point No bleedoccurs Long warm-up time around 80° C. After No strikethrough occursjetting the ink freezes almost instantly upon contacting the printmedium or a transfer roller. Oil Oil based inks are High solubilitymedium for High viscosity: this is a significant All IJ series ink jetsextensively used in some dyes limitation for use in inkjets, whichoffset printing. They Does not cockle paper usually require a lowviscosity. Some have advantages in Does not wick through paper shortchain and multi-branched oils improved characteris- have a sufficientlylow viscosity. tics on paper (especi- Slow drying ally no wicking orcockle). Oil soluble dies and pigments are required. Microemulsion Amicroemulsion is a Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher than water All IJseries ink jets stable, self forming High dye solubility Cost isslightly higher than water based emulsion of oil, water, Water, oil, andamphiphilic ink and surfactant. The soluble dies can be used Highsurfactant concentration required characteristic drop Can stabilizepigment (around 5%) size is less than suspensions 100 nm, and is deter-mined by the preferred curvature of the surfactant.

[0060] Ink Jet Printing

[0061] A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have beendeveloped to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the imageprocessing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jetdevices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of thepresent invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relatingto these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by crossreference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patentapplications are also provided for the sake of convenience. Austra- lianProvi- US Patent/Patent sional Application Number Filing Date Title andFiling Date PO8066 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,652 andApparatus (IJ01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8072 15 Jul. 1997 Image CreationMethod 6,213,588 and Apparatus (IJ02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8040 15 Jul.1997 Image Creation Method 6,213,589 and Apparatus (IJ03) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8071 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,231,163 and Apparatus(IJ04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8047 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method6,247,795 and Apparatus (IJ05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8035 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method 6,394,581 and Apparatus (IJ06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8044 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,244,691 and Apparatus (IJ07) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8063 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,257,704 and Apparatus(IJ08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8057 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method6,416,168 and Apparatus (IJ09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8056 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method 6,220,694 and Apparatus (IJ10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8069 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,257,705 and Apparatus (IJ11) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8049 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,794 and Apparatus(IJ12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8036 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method6,234,610 and Apparatus (IJ13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8048 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method 6,247,793 and Apparatus (IJ14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8070 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,264,306 and Apparatus (IJ15) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8067 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,241,342 and Apparatus(IJ16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8001 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method6,247,792 and Apparatus (IJ17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8038 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method 6,264,307 and Apparatus (IJ18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8033 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,254,220 and Apparatus (IJ19) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8002 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,234,611 and Apparatus(IJ20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8068 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method6,302,528 and Apparatus (IJ21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8062 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method 6,283,582 and Apparatus (IJ22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8034 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,239,821 and Apparatus (IJ23) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8039 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,338,547 and Apparatus(IJ24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8041 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method6,247,796 and Apparatus (IJ25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8004 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method 09/113,122 and Apparatus (IJ26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO803715 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,390,603 and Apparatus (IJ27) (Jul.10, 1998) PO8043 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,362,843 andApparatus (IJ28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8042 15 Jul. 1997 Image CreationMethod 6,293,653 and Apparatus (IJ29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8064 15 Jul.1997 Image Creation Method 6,312,107 and Apparatus (IJ30) (Jul. 10,1998) PO9389 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,653 and Apparatus(IJ31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9391 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method6,234,609 and Apparatus (IJ32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0888 12 Dec. 1997 ImageCreation Method 6,238,040 and Apparatus (IJ33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0891 12Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,188,415 and Apparatus (IJ34) (Jul. 10,1998) PP0890 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,654 and Apparatus(IJ35) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0873 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method6,209,989 and Apparatus (IJ36) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0993 12 Dec. 1997 ImageCreation Method 6,247,791 and Apparatus (IJ37) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,336,710 and Apparatus (IJ38) (Jul. 10,1998) PP1398 19 Jan. 1998 An Image Creation 6,217,153 Method andApparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJ39) PP2592 25 Mar. 1998 An Image Creation6,416,167 Method and Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJ40) PP2593 25 Mar.1998 Image Creation Method 6,243,113 and Apparatus (IJ41) (Jul. 10,1998) PP3991 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,283,581 and Apparatus(IJ42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3987 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method6,247,790 and Apparatus (IJ43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3985 9 Jun. 1998 ImageCreation Method 6,260,953 and Apparatus (IJ44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3983 9Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,267,469 and Apparatus (IJ45) (Jul. 10,1998)

[0062] Ink Jet Manufacturing

[0063] Further, the present application may utilize advancedsemiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arraysof ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described inthe following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporatedhere by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective correspondingU.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.Austral- US Patent/ ian Patent Provi- Application sional and FilingNumber Filing Date Title Date PO7935 15 Jul. 1997 A Method ofManufacture 6,224,780 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(IJM01) PO7936 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,212 of anImage Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM02) PO7937 15 Jul. 1997 AMethod of Manufacture 6,280,643 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (IJM03) PO8061 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,284,147of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM04) PO8054 15 Jul.1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,214,244 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (IJM05) PO8065 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture6,071,750 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM06) PO805515 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,267,905 of an Image Creation(Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM07) PO8053 15 Jul. 1997 A Method ofManufacture 6,251,298 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(IJM08) PO8078 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,285 of anImage Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM09) PO7933 15 Jul. 1997 AMethod of Manufacture 6,225,138 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (IJM10) PO7950 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,904of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM11) PO7949 15 Jul.1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,299,786 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (IJM12) PO8060 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture09/113,124 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM13) PO805915 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,773 of an Image Creation(Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM14) PO8073 15 Jul. 1997 A Method ofManufacture 6,190,931 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(IJM15) PO8076 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,248,249 of anImage Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM16) PO8075 15 Jul. 1997 AMethod of Manufacture 6,290,862 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (IJM17) PO8079 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,906of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM18) PO8050 15 Jul.1997 A Method of Manufacture 09/113,116 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (IJM19) PO8052 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture6,241,905 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM20) PO794815 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,451,216 of an Image Creation(Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM21) PO7951 15 Jul. 1997 A Method ofManufacture 6,231,772 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(IJM22) PO8074 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,274,056 of anImage Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM23) PO7941 15 Jul. 1997 AMethod of Manufacture 6,290,861 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (IJM24) PO8077 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,248,248of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM25) PO8058 15 Jul.1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,306,671 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (IJM26) PO8051 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture6,331,258 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM27) PO804515 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,110,754 of an Image Creation(Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM28) PO7952 15 Jul. 1997 A Method ofManufacture 6,294,101 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(IJM29) PO8046 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,416,679 of anImage Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM30) PO8503 11 Aug. 1997 AMethod of Manufacture 6,264,849 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (IJM30a) PO9390 23 Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,254,793of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM31) PO9392 23 Sep.1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,211 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (IJM32) PP0889 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture6,235,211 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM35) PP088712 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,264,850 of an Image Creation(Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM36) PP0882 12 Dec. 1997 A Method ofManufacture 6,258,284 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(IJM37) PP0874 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,284 of anImage Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM38) PP1396 19 Jan. 1998 AMethod of Manufacture 6,228,668 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (IJM39) PP2591 25 Mar. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,180,427of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM41) PP3989 9 Jun.1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,171,875 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (IJM40) PP3990 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture6,267,904 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM42) PP39869 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,245,247 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM43) PP3984 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture6,245,247 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM44) PP39829 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,148 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM45)

[0064] Fluid Supply

[0065] Further, the present application may utilize an ink deliverysystem to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply ofink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the followingAustralian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of whichare hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers ofrespective corresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided forthe sake of convenience. Australian US Patent/Patent ProvisionalApplication and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PO8003 15 Jul. 1997Supply Method and 6,350,023 Apparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8005 15Jul. 1997 Supply Method and 6,318,849 Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9404 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and 09/113,101 Method (F3) (Jul. 10, 1998)

[0066] MEMS Technology

[0067] Further, the present application may utilize advancedsemiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction oflarge arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanicaltechniques are described in the following Australian provisional patentspecifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbersof respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided forthe sake of convenience. Australian US Patent/Patent ProvisionalApplication and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PO7943 15 Jul. 1997A device (MEMS01) PO8006 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS02) 6,087,638 (Jul.10, 1998) PO8007 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS03) 09/113,093 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8008 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS04) 6,340,222 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8010 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS05) 6,041,600 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO801115 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS06) 6,299,300 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7947 15 Jul.1997 A device (MEMS07) 6,067,797 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7945 15 Jul. 1997 Adevice (MEMS08) 09/113,081 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7944 15 Jul. 1997 A device(MEMS09) 6,286,935 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7946 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS10)6,044,646 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9393 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and 09/113,065Method (MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0875 12 Dec. 1997 A device (MEMS12)09/113,078 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0894 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 09/113,075Method (MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998)

[0068] IR Technologies

[0069] Further, the present application may include the utilization of adisposable camera system such as those described in the followingAustralian provisional patent specifications incorporated here bycross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S.patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.Austral- US Patent/ ian Patent Provis- Application ional and FilingNumber Filing Date Title Date PP0895 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Creation6,231,148 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR01) PP0870 12 Dec.1997 A Device and 09/113,106 Method (IR02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0869 12Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,293,658 Method (IR04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12Dec. 1997 Image Creation 09/113,104 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(IR05) PP0885 12 Dec. 1997 An Image 6,238,033 Production (Jul. 10, 1998)System (IR06) PP0884 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation 6,312,070 Method and(Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR10) PP0886 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation6,238,111 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR12) PP0871 12 Dec.1997 A Device and 09/113,086 Method (IR13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0876 12Dec. 1997 An Image 09/113,094 Processing (Jul. 10, 1998) Method andApparatus (IR14) PP0877 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,378,970 Method(IR16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0878 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,196,739 Method(IR17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0879 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 09/112,774Method (IR18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0883 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,270,182Method (IR19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0880 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,152,619Method (IR20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0881 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and09/113,092 Method (IR21) (Jul. 10, 1998)

[0070] DotCard Technologies

[0071] Further, the present application may include the utilization of adata distribution system such as that described in the followingAustralian provisional patent specifications incorporated here bycross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S.patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.Austra- US Patent/ lian Patent Provis- Application ional and FilingNumber Filing Date Title Date PP2370 16 Mar. 1998 Data Processing09/112,781 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot01) PP2371 16 Mar.1998 Data Processing 09/113,052 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(Dot02)

[0072] Artcam Technologies

[0073] Further, the present application may include the utilization ofcamera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device asdescribed in the following Australian provisional patent specificationsincorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience. Austral- US Patent/ ian Patent Provi- Application sionaland Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PO7991 15 Jul. 1997 ImageProcessing Method 09/113,060 and Apparatus (ART01) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7988 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,476,863 and Apparatus(ART02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7993 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method09/113,073 and Apparatus (ART03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9395 23 Sep. 1997Data Processing Method 6,322,181 and Apparatus (ART04) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8017 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,747 and Apparatus(ART06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8014 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART07)6,227,648 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8025 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method09/112,750 and Apparatus (ART08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8032 15 Jul. 1997Image Processing Method 09/112,746 and Apparatus (ART09) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7999 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,743 and Apparatus(ART10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7998 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method09/112,742 and Apparatus (ART11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8031 15 Jul. 1997Image Processing Method 09/112,741 and Apparatus (ART12) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8030 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART13) 6,196,541 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7997 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART15) 6,195,150 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7979 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART16) 6,362,868 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8015 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART17) 09/112,738 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7978 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART18) 09/113,067 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7982 15 Jul 1997 Data Processing Method 6,431,669 and Apparatus (ART19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7989 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,362,869and Apparatus (ART20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8019 15 Jul. 1997 MediaProcessing Method 6,472,052 and Apparatus (ART21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO798015 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,356,715 and Apparatus (ART22)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8018 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,777and Apparatus (ART24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7938 15 Jul. 1997 ImageProcessing Method 09/113,224 and Apparatus (ART25) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8016 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,366,693 and Apparatus(ART26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8024 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method6,329,990 and Apparatus (ART27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7940 15 Jul. 1997 DataProcessing Method 09/113,072 and Apparatus (ART28) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7939 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,785 and Apparatus(ART29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8501 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method6,137,500 and Apparatus (ART30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8500 11 Aug. 1997Image Processing Method 09/112,796 and Apparatus (ART31) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7987 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,071 and Apparatus(ART32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8022 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method6,398,328 and Apparatus (ART33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8497 11 Aug. 1997Image Processing Method 09/113,090 and Apparatus (ART34) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8020 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,431,704 and Apparatus(ART38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8023 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method09/113,222 and Apparatus (ART39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8504 11 Aug. 1997Image Processing Method 09/112,786 and Apparatus (ART42) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8000 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,415,054 and Apparatus(ART43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7977 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method09/112,782 and Apparatus (ART44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7934 15 Jul. 1997Data Processing Method 09/113,056 and Apparatus (ART45) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7990 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,059 and Apparatus(ART46) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8499 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method6,486,886 and Apparatus (ART47) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8502 11 Aug. 1997Image Processing Method 6,381,361 and Apparatus (ART48) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7981 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,317,192 and Apparatus(ART50) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7986 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method09/113,057 and Apparatus (ART51) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7983 15 Jul. 1997Data Processing Method 09/113,054 and Apparatus (ART52) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8026 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,752 and Apparatus(ART53) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8027 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method09/112,759 and Apparatus (ART54) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8028 15 Jul. 1997Image Processing Method 09/112,757 and Apparatus (ART56) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9394 23 Sep. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,357,135 and Apparatus(ART57) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9396 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method09/113,107 and Apparatus (ART58) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9397 23 Sep. 1997Data Processing Method 6,271,931 and Apparatus (ART59) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9398 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,353,772 and Apparatus(ART60) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9399 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method6,106,147 and Apparatus (ART61) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9400 23 Sep. 1997 DataProcessing Method 09/112,790 and Apparatus (ART62) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9401 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,304,291 and Apparatus(ART63) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9402 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method09/112,788 and Apparatus (ART64) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9403 23 Sep. 1997Data Processing Method 6,305,770 and Apparatus (ART65) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9405 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,289,262 and Apparatus(ART66) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0959 16 Dec. 1997 A Data Processing Method6,315,200 and Apparatus (ART68) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1397 19 Jan. 1998 AMedia Device (ART69) 6,217,165 (Jul. 10, 1998)

1. A method of processing a digital image comprising: capturing theimage utilising an adjustable focusing technique; utilising the focusingsettings as an indicator of the position of structures within the image;and processing the image, utilising the said focus settings to produceeffects specific to said focus settings.
 2. A method as claimed in claim1 further comprising the step of: capturing said image utilising azooming technique; and utilising zooming settings in a heuristic mannerso as to process portions of said image.
 3. A method as claimed in claim1 wherein said processing step comprises utilising said auto focusinformation to assist in the location of objects within the image.
 4. Amethod as claimed in claim 1 wherein said focus setting is derived froma CCD captured digital image a CCD captured digital image.